Two valued colleagues at Tallaght University Hospital (TUH), porter Ian Healy and health care assistant Gillian Kelly, are making an inspiring leap in their careers by returning to college to undertake a 4-year nursing degree programme. Their journey has been made possible by the HSE Nurse Sponsorship Programme, an initiative that offers 30 places nationally to healthcare support staff who wish to retrain as nurses or midwives.
Ian Healy, 45, has been a dedicated TUH porter for over 26 years. A Clondalkin native, Ian began his journey in the Hospital’s Operating Theatre before moving on to the Emergency Department and has spent the past 20 years working in the Endoscopy Unit.
"I love the interaction of patient care and have grown up in TUH. The staff here are my family," he explains. “The hospital has given me so much – and I always feel I could be doing more. Once I qualify, I intend to return and begin my nursing career right here.”
Ian credits friends and colleagues for their encouragement and support: “My good friend Joe paid for my aptitude test as a Christmas gift, and Linda, another good friend who is already studying to become a nurse, guided me through the application process. I’m so grateful to the many people in TUH who helped me get to this point.”
Speaking about his motivation, Ian says he was “ready for a new challenge – I wanted a change in my career. Thanks to the sponsorship programme, this is now possible. I really couldn’t be more excited to start this new chapter and begin studying for my degree in nursing at Trinity College Dublin (TCD).”
Ian remains open about which area he may eventually specialise in, but has a keen interest in ICU nursing. “I’ve always admired the ICU staff and the work they do.”
Gillian Kelly, 38, originally from Sandyford, Dublin, has been working as a Health Care Assistant (HCA) at TUH for the past three years. She currently works on Franks Ward, which specialises in orthopaedic care. “I love the job—it’s busy, but that suits me. I find it incredibly rewarding and interesting, especially the patient interaction. I love making patients laugh and helping them feel good about themselves when they are at their most vulnerable. A smile and a joke can uplift their mood so much.”
Her healthcare journey began during the Covid pandemic when she was caring for her mother. Encouraged by her father, a former porter, she trained as a HCA. With one sister a nurse and another a phlebotomist, Gillian is continuing a proud family tradition in healthcare.
Now living in Wicklow Town, Gillian is supported by her husband Karl and their two children, Conor (16) and Chloe (11). “My family is proud of me. Karl is very supportive, and the kids are old enough now that I don’t have to worry about childcare, and they’ve even promised to help out more around the house during my studies.”
Áine Lynch, Director of Nursing and Integrated Care at TUH, explained how all at TUH were “delighted that both Gillian and Ian, who bring a wealth of experience from their time here, have been accepted onto the Nurse Sponsorship Programme. This is a fantastic opportunity for them and a significant benefit to the hospital. Ian is a real trailblazer, being one of the first porters to be accepted into the programme. I look forward to seeing others follow in their footsteps and am delighted that once again we at TUH have had successful applicants to this scheme.”
The HSE Nurse Sponsorship Programme is designed to support existing healthcare staff, such as Health Care Assistants and Porters, in their journey to become registered nurses or midwives. Participants receive continued salary support during their academic studies and return to their existing roles during academic breaks. This innovative programme is a key part of the HSE’s efforts to grow and retain skilled healthcare professionals.